A spy for the Typhon Pact--a new political rival of the Federation--steals the plans for Starfleet's newest technological advance: the slipstream drive. To stop the Typhon Pact from unlocking the drive's secrets, Starfleet Intelligence recruits a pair of genetically enhanced agents: Dr. Julian Bashir, of station Deep Space 9, and Sarina Douglas, a woman whose talents BashiA spy for the Typhon Pact--a new political rival of the Federation--steals the plans for Starfleet's newest technological advance: the slipstream drive. To stop the Typhon Pact from unlocking the drive's secrets, Starfleet Intelligence recruits a pair of genetically enhanced agents: Dr. Julian Bashir, of station Deep Space 9, and Sarina Douglas, a woman whose talents Bashir helped bring to fruition, and whom Bashir thinks of as his long-lost true love.Bashir and Douglas are sent to infiltrate the mysterious species known as the Breen, find the hidden slipstream project, and destroy it. Meanwhile, light-years away, Captain Ezri Dax and her crew on the "U.S.S. Aventine" play a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a Typhon Pact fleet that stands between them and the safe retrieval of Bashir and Douglas from hostile territory....more

ebook, 352 pages

Published
October 26th 2010
by Simon & Schuster
(first published October 22nd 2010)

Community Reviews

There's a point toward the end of the book where first officer Bowers, confronted with the next crisis, half jokingly asks "never a dull moment, eh?" and the Amazing Captain Dax replies: "not if we're doing this right". I could see this doubling as an exchange between David Mack and his editor, because Zero Sum doesn't have dull moments either and very few of the quiet variety: mostly the nice introspection into Bashir's character, now that his DS9 "family" is all but shattered, with his friendsThere's a point toward the end of the book where first officer Bowers, confronted with the next crisis, half jokingly asks "never a dull moment, eh?" and the Amazing Captain Dax replies: "not if we're doing this right". I could see this doubling as an exchange between David Mack and his editor, because Zero Sum doesn't have dull moments either and very few of the quiet variety: mostly the nice introspection into Bashir's character, now that his DS9 "family" is all but shattered, with his friends and colleagues all gone into different directions and career paths.

Bashir is the focal emotional point of Zero Sum, the book that kicks off the new crossover miniseries Typhon Pact set in the Trek universe that Mack himself has reshaped with the Destiny trilogy. If you've been following the various relaunch titles of the 24th century shows (Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation especially), this book is a no-brainer: you have to read it, it's where the story goes next and it's an entertaining read that seems to set up nicely the stage for the next three books. The same goes if you've only jumped back on board Trek lit with the Destiny Trilogy (and his excellent coda, A Singular Destiny by Keith R. De Candido). As a book to pick up with only the tv shows under your belt, though, this might work less well, leaving such a reader scrambling to adjust to a different galaxy, with new characters and the old ones weighted down by much more backstory.

For the faithful, though, there's plenty of treats: Captain Ezri Dax and the Aventine crew, Federation's president Nan Bacco, the return of the "Jack Pack", a close look at the Breen and Breen society (something the tv shows never got around to), the first consequences of the new political landscape emerged after the Destiny events and the beginning of a new (and perilous) journey for Julian Bashir that draws deeply from the character's history and traits....more

This book serves two purposes in some ways. The obvious one is that it launches the next big cross-over event among the various Star Trek lines, the Typhon Pact. It also checks in on some of the characters that have been largely unseen since the series finale of Deep Space Nine.

Most of the book is about Dr. Bashir, who continues his never quite being able to catch a break. He gets swept into the murky world of intelligence work by Sarina Douglas, a woman from his past he has strong feelings forThis book serves two purposes in some ways. The obvious one is that it launches the next big cross-over event among the various Star Trek lines, the Typhon Pact. It also checks in on some of the characters that have been largely unseen since the series finale of Deep Space Nine.

Most of the book is about Dr. Bashir, who continues his never quite being able to catch a break. He gets swept into the murky world of intelligence work by Sarina Douglas, a woman from his past he has strong feelings for. He will face many challenges, physical and moral, as he tries to complete his mission.

The other DS9 character we see the most of is Ezri Dax, now captain of the USS Adventine. She has her hands full dealing with a fleet of ships that are preventing her from her own mission-- retrieving Bashir and Douglas. Her crew gets defined a bit along the way.

The new menace here is the Typhon Pact, an array of various powers that are not very kindly disposed towards the Federation, including the Romulans, the Breen, the Gorn, and others.

Mack writes Trek well, and this is no exception. It's a good read, exciting, and has the flavor of the Trek world. Recommended to Star Trek fans, of course, and general sci fi fans as well. While a good working knowledge of Deep Space Nine, especially towards the end of its run, is nice for this book, it's not a requirement. ...more

This book revisits DS9 over a decade after the end of the Dominion War, which ended in the DS9 series finale. Almost everyone has moved on, none of Bashir's old friends are around the station. Sarina and the Jack pack make a return here. Sarina manages to convince Bashir to go on a mission for Starfleet intelligence to infiltrate a Breen colony to recover stolen slipstream plans and to destroy any prototype. The Breen are part of something called the Typhon Pact along with the Romulans, Gor3.5/5

This book revisits DS9 over a decade after the end of the Dominion War, which ended in the DS9 series finale. Almost everyone has moved on, none of Bashir's old friends are around the station. Sarina and the Jack pack make a return here. Sarina manages to convince Bashir to go on a mission for Starfleet intelligence to infiltrate a Breen colony to recover stolen slipstream plans and to destroy any prototype. The Breen are part of something called the Typhon Pact along with the Romulans, Gorn, Tholians and Tzenkethi locked in a cold war vs the Federation, Klingons, Ferengi and Cardassians.

Sarina and Bashir quickly rekindle their old feelings, while Ezri Dax acts jealous. This book finally pulls back the curtains on Breen society, something that wasn't covered in the TV series. We learn why they wear the suits and masks, why their colonies look so bare-bones from space, and why the descriptions of the Breen vary so greatly.

All too conveniently, dissidents manage to find Bashir and Sarina before the authorities did. Their identities get changed to lower suspicions, and they are given cover in the Warren, a dissident controlled area of the colony.

Bashir is forced to make choices about how far he's willing to go for his mission, as killing simply for the sake of an intelligence mission is against his ethics. Sarina has no such qualms.

The ending has an amusing twist for those who watched Bashir's character and his struggles against Sloan in DS9. ...more

!!!STOP!!! BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK, you MUST read Star Trek: A Singular Destiny. It didn't take long for me to have a LOT of questions when I started reading Zero Sum Game. In talking to a friend about my questions, she told me that Singular Destiny answers all my questions as it is the middle book between the Destiny trilogy & Zero Sum Game.

The main reason I liked this book so much was it dealt heavily with the Breen. A lot of information about them as a people & culture is exposed he!!!STOP!!! BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK, you MUST read Star Trek: A Singular Destiny. It didn't take long for me to have a LOT of questions when I started reading Zero Sum Game. In talking to a friend about my questions, she told me that Singular Destiny answers all my questions as it is the middle book between the Destiny trilogy & Zero Sum Game.

The main reason I liked this book so much was it dealt heavily with the Breen. A lot of information about them as a people & culture is exposed here. They're no doubt one of the most mysterious races of people in the Star Trek universe, and this book sheds a lot of light on them. I very much liked the episode Chrysalis from DS9 - and this picks up the relationships between Bashir & Serena. I don't think the author captured Serena how I had imagined her to be after living life out side of her catatonic state... but... as I've never written a novel, I've no room to criticize him. All in all, I very much enjoyed it....more

Well, this is the lowest marking I've ever given a David Mack book and it was tough to do. Don't get me wrong, I liked the book, but I found I was able to put it down and go a few days before I picked it up again.

With that said, good story arc of Julian and looking to see more development there. Ezri? I didn't feel anything new was developed there. She was just filler, and really dragged the story down for me.

Loved the book, bit of a weak start to the Typhon Pact series, given how important it is to the Star Trek universe as a whole. Loved seeing Bashir back in action, though. He was always one of my favourite Deep Space Nine characters, and my favourite of the doctors of all the series (movie, series AND novels). Already reading Seize The Fire!

Finally, a straight forward adventure from the DS9 relaunch, without being weighed down by interdimensional oddities, celestial experiences, or other lofty ideas that haven't been enough to carry the stories. The story here is fine, but the mechanisms by which our heroes escape is too over the top, and even other characters in the novel remark upon it (ugh).

Minor complaint: Mack gets in his own way with dialogue tags and telling us what we already know, which is most apparent during the SarinaFinally, a straight forward adventure from the DS9 relaunch, without being weighed down by interdimensional oddities, celestial experiences, or other lofty ideas that haven't been enough to carry the stories. The story here is fine, but the mechanisms by which our heroes escape is too over the top, and even other characters in the novel remark upon it (ugh).

Minor complaint: Mack gets in his own way with dialogue tags and telling us what we already know, which is most apparent during the Sarina interrogation. Could have used more depth to Bashir's processing of his actions, but there is some unstated pathos. I guess I wanted more, and the door is left open for it.

However, I liked it for what it is, and it is more than a generic spy adventure with a couple Star Trek trappings. It certainly belongs, and is a welcome change of pace....more

This is the first book (of 8) in the second major mini-series in the Star Trek novels.

After the Destiny trilogy some of the less-than-friendly races, who fought against the Borg, have split away from the Federation to form their own coalition known as the Typhon Pact; much like the Cold War after World War 2.

The Breen and the Romulans work together, in a covert attack, to steal the Slipstream Warp technology from the Federation. Section 31 recruits Julian Bashir and Ezri Dax to mount their own cThis is the first book (of 8) in the second major mini-series in the Star Trek novels.

After the Destiny trilogy some of the less-than-friendly races, who fought against the Borg, have split away from the Federation to form their own coalition known as the Typhon Pact; much like the Cold War after World War 2.

The Breen and the Romulans work together, in a covert attack, to steal the Slipstream Warp technology from the Federation. Section 31 recruits Julian Bashir and Ezri Dax to mount their own counter-op to recover the stolen data and to destroy the prototype ship the Breen are building.

I just love spy stories and this one was a boat-load of fun even though there were some moments where I thought some of the circumstances were a bit ridiculous. Bashir and his estranged love Sarina Douglas are dropped into Breen society with the monumental task of having to infiltrate a top-secret shipyard.

The Breen are a super-secretive society where individual identity is kept hidden by the wearing of uniforms and helmets. The underlying reasoning is quite interesting; without clues to race or gender Breen society can work on the notion of egalitarian decision making. It also makes for a very secretive and rule-based culture.

The Federation knows next to nothing about the Breen and it is left to Bashir and Douglas to figure out the language, social interactions and geography in order to complete the mission. I felt this was too much to expect the reader to believe; considering the Breen are super-secretive among themselves, imagine how monumental a task it is for aliens posing as natives to overcome being detected in the street never mind trying to infiltrate a military base.

Some of the action sequences fall into the James Bond level of silly, pulpy, over-the-top, death-defying improbability that I found myself laughing instead of holding my breath in excitement. I also found it less than believable when the characters are instantly experts in alien languages, computer interfaces, piloting alien crafts and withstanding torture. I mean really? Where are their capes?

So, yes it was fun but one of the things I like about Star Trek is the believability of it all. It's a fine line between the probable and just making shit up to make the story work. It is also very difficult to continually up the stakes form one adventure to the next. So I find myself forgiving David Mack for taking certain leaps and look on this story as a whole which was a fun popcorn movie of a book. I especially liked the Breen society and I hope we get to see more of it in future books.

I've already started reading the next book in the series so don't let my Luke-warm review deter you from reading it. If you approach it like a Bond movie you'll be in a good place to enjoy yourself....more

David Mack provides an excellent start to the Typhon Pact series with this explosive espionage-fuelled episode.

The standalone A Singular Destiny had Sonek Pran discovering that the multiple enemies of the Federation had teamed together to form a pact against the Federation.

The next episode in this ongoing story starts with the Pact stealing plans for the Federation's tactical advantage from a starship construction base near Mars. As a result, Doctor Bashir is sent to a Breen planet to recover thDavid Mack provides an excellent start to the Typhon Pact series with this explosive espionage-fuelled episode.

The standalone A Singular Destiny had Sonek Pran discovering that the multiple enemies of the Federation had teamed together to form a pact against the Federation.

The next episode in this ongoing story starts with the Pact stealing plans for the Federation's tactical advantage from a starship construction base near Mars. As a result, Doctor Bashir is sent to a Breen planet to recover the plans. How'd they manage to convince a Doctor to do this? By getting his old-flame Sarina Douglas to be the other operative.

Mack's story is tight and well-crafted, the pace is excellent and the dialogue real. Bashir's motivations feel genuine and my only issue is that Bashir seems a bit dumb. He doesn't think or react quite how you'd expect his genetic enhancements would let him.I've also never been convinced why Section 31 would need an operative like Julian Bashir. They already have Sarina Douglas, also genetically enhanced, so why Bashir? Because he likes playing spy games on the holodeck?

All that aside the story moves from one action scene to the next, and the brief dip into the Breen culture is fascinating. The suspense level is maintained throughout and although the ending feels a little rushed, this book is the start of what seems to be an excellent series....more

I am so thankful for these Star Trek books that have continued the story long after the show ended. The characters are so rich and it's nice to see them from time to time, and the new slew of writers that Pocket Books has penning them really stay true to what we know and expect from them. I look forward to each installment (in this case, almost a year in advance.)

This story takes place a year or so after the events of last year's saga with the Borg, with (thankfully) a completely new enemy: thatI am so thankful for these Star Trek books that have continued the story long after the show ended. The characters are so rich and it's nice to see them from time to time, and the new slew of writers that Pocket Books has penning them really stay true to what we know and expect from them. I look forward to each installment (in this case, almost a year in advance.)

This story takes place a year or so after the events of last year's saga with the Borg, with (thankfully) a completely new enemy: that of the Typhon Pact, a coalition of races that have felt isolated and at odds with the Federation, who now has an experimental flagship (the Aventine, captained by Dax) equipped with Slipstream technology acquired by Voyager. Turns out the Typhon Pact would very much like to get their hands on such technology, so Starfleet recruits Doctor Bashir and an old friend of his (Sarina, from the Jack Pack), to go undercover into Breen territory and do some damage to their stolen prototype.

While a bit padded with unnecessary action sequences toward the end, I liked the development of Bashir's character and how he coped with killing in the name of country, despite his Hippocratic Oath. I also enjoyed his relationship with Sarina. I especially liked the insight into Breen society, and what lies behind their masks. And I loved the twist ending, which sets up the next books in the series (there are 4 total, this time around) quite nicely....more

I read this book after Losing the Peace, but I'm not up to speed in all the events going on in the DS9 series. Mack does a good job opening the book on DS9 and brining the reader up to speed with what is going on there.

This story centers around Julian Bashir. In the beginning he finds himself at his usual job, helping patients at a space station that is not as exotic and far-flung as it used to be in past years. then he gets dragged into a plot to recover something very precious that was stolenI read this book after Losing the Peace, but I'm not up to speed in all the events going on in the DS9 series. Mack does a good job opening the book on DS9 and brining the reader up to speed with what is going on there.

This story centers around Julian Bashir. In the beginning he finds himself at his usual job, helping patients at a space station that is not as exotic and far-flung as it used to be in past years. then he gets dragged into a plot to recover something very precious that was stolen from the Federation - something that could tip the power of balance in the galaxy toward the Typhon Pact. Ezri Dax and the Aventine play a supporting role, ready to come to the rescue if needed (and if they can avoid starting a war).

The Typhon Pact series appears to be the beginning of another cold war, only this time a bunch of adversaries are joined together. David Mack's book gives the series a very strong start, much better than the next novel (Seize the Fire). He knows how to combine action and suspense to make an enjoyable book....more

Nophoto-u-25x33 I've waited for this series for over a year after reading the destiny novels (a must read in order to appreciate this star trek universe)and can safely say I was not disappointed. However, I'm not excitedly looking forward to the next set of books( http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/The_Ty... )

The book focuses mainly on Dr. Bashir and Sarina who undergo an espionage mission to sabotage slip-stream drive technology stolen from the federation by the Typhon Pact. Starfleet IntelligenNophoto-u-25x33 I've waited for this series for over a year after reading the destiny novels (a must read in order to appreciate this star trek universe)and can safely say I was not disappointed. However, I'm not excitedly looking forward to the next set of books( http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/The_Ty... )

The book focuses mainly on Dr. Bashir and Sarina who undergo an espionage mission to sabotage slip-stream drive technology stolen from the federation by the Typhon Pact. Starfleet Intelligence recruits Bashir and Sarina because they're genetically enhanced and can quickly learn and adapt to an unknown Breen culture, where they Typhon Pact are building a prototype of a slip-stream ship.

They covertly sneak into a Breen world and learn about the culture, which I find interesting and was very nicely done by Mack. They learn the Breen are like the Federation (a mix of species) except they mask themselves from one another in order to prevent species prejudice within their confederation.

Most of the Book focuses on them learning about the Breen and sneaking around trying to get to the prototype ship, while the other good portion of the book focuses on the Aventine captained by Ezri Dax. Dax is tasked with retrieving Bashir and Sarina once they succeed but the Breen and the Romulans are blockading the Breen/Federation border. A small portion covers the federations president Bacco. Her role in the book is small and mostly shows her dealing with the politcal fallout of having to deal with the stolen slip-stream technology. The remaining part of the book covers the viewpoints of the Breen, mainly Thoth (admiral equivalent) Keer, an engineer tasked with having to complete the prototype on time.

The novel comes to a climax when Bashir causes the shipyards core to overload which would ultimately destroy the unfinished prototype ship. He leaves the shipyard thinking his job is complete and flees into open space while setting his locator beacon for Dax to pick him up. Dax creates a distraction for the blockade which allows her to enter Breen space and pick up Bashir and Sarina. but the unfinished prototype captained by Thoth keer is slowly flying out of its hanager trying to escape the core overload of the shipyard. Dax then decides to try and ram the prototype back into the hanager with her ships shields. She pushes the prototype back into the hanger the shipyard and protoype explode and her ship gets away all while rescuing Sarina and Bashir ...

then two weeks later back at deep space 9 Dax and her crew are relaxing, Bacco is dealing with the Typhon Pacts ambassador where the ambassador confronts Bacco about the incident but leaves angry. Bacco then exasperatingly claims to her aide that these times are similar to the times before the federation Klingon war. Finnaly back at DS9 Bashir and Sarina are a couple and Sarina is revealed to be a section 31 agent when a 31 agent congratulates her and talks about how this is the first step in recruiting Bashir into 31.

I have some complaints about the book. For one it was short. Another, was after they rescued Sarina and Bashir the climax of the novel just whimpered away. The pacing was fast and exciting at the end and then it just ended with a two weeks later. Really Mack? come on you lead the reader higher and higher leaving us waiting for the epic climax and then suddenly two weeks later ... Another problem I had was why did Dax's ship have to ram the prototype back into the hanger? why not use the tractor beam?!.

I'm a Star Trek junkie so I enjoyed it. I liked how you painted the Breen civilization. I especially loved Thot Keer, too bad he got killed. I also like how section 31 plays a part and what it means for the future of the books. Overall I am pleased. ...more

While reading this book, it felt as though I had missed a Star Trek novel in the DS9 world during the initial moments of Zero Sum Game. After Fearful Symmetry, there seems to have been a gap in the DS9 chronology where certain characters take fairly large changes in their lives, most of the old DS9 crowd is gone leaving Bashir alone on the station. He still enjoys spy games, but now he has a chance to live it, for the good of the Federation of course. What follows his, and his fellow geneticallyWhile reading this book, it felt as though I had missed a Star Trek novel in the DS9 world during the initial moments of Zero Sum Game. After Fearful Symmetry, there seems to have been a gap in the DS9 chronology where certain characters take fairly large changes in their lives, most of the old DS9 crowd is gone leaving Bashir alone on the station. He still enjoys spy games, but now he has a chance to live it, for the good of the Federation of course. What follows his, and his fellow genetically enhanced friend/lover/colleague Sarina Douglas, being inserted into Breen space for the purposes of dealing with the theft of the quantum slipstream drive from Starfleet. This book starts an epic series of books, the Typhon Pact. Like the Destiny trilogy of books, the first one was designed mainly to introduce you to the various story arcs, but unlike Destiny, the first novel is more exciting. Fans of the series will know the Breen as one of the most secretive groups the Federation has been dealing with. Here, their society is explored much more in depth. My only complaint with this book is that I would like to have known more of what happened to the DS9 crew prior to Zero Sum Game....more

A good story to keep you "up to date" on the Prime Trek universe after the events of Star Trek Nemesis...however, I expected more from David Mack, one of the best Trek writers of the past several years. I loved his Vanguard series, and his work on the Destiny trilogy, and had high hopes for the start of the Typhon Pact series, but somehow this first book in an important galactic development fell kind of short. I don't know if Mack was distracted while writing this, or is waiting for things to deA good story to keep you "up to date" on the Prime Trek universe after the events of Star Trek Nemesis...however, I expected more from David Mack, one of the best Trek writers of the past several years. I loved his Vanguard series, and his work on the Destiny trilogy, and had high hopes for the start of the Typhon Pact series, but somehow this first book in an important galactic development fell kind of short. I don't know if Mack was distracted while writing this, or is waiting for things to develop later on, but this story did not have the cutting edge personal drama, political intrigue, and raw sci-fi discovery that I have come to expect from him. I still love you, David...but Zero Sum Game was flat, and unexciting. I liked the fact he brought back Bashir and Sarina Douglas, but the fact that they were the ONLY two people in all the Federation to be able to pull this mission off was a bit of a stretch. Maybe he had other plans up his sleeve with the Section 31 connection at the end...I'm not sure.

I'll give Mack a Mulligan on this one...I've already reserved the second book in the Typhon Pact series at the library....more

Whenever an author writes for the pocketbook Star Trek novels, I'm certain there's an awful lot of incidental information that they need to ensure that the reader knows and understands - things that they didn't necessarily write, or at least not in this particular book, but do they really have to infodump? That kind of thing is beneath an author of Alan Mack's caliber, and this, along with his making Bashir far more stupid than his genetic enhanceAction, adventure... and one or two small things.

Whenever an author writes for the pocketbook Star Trek novels, I'm certain there's an awful lot of incidental information that they need to ensure that the reader knows and understands - things that they didn't necessarily write, or at least not in this particular book, but do they really have to infodump? That kind of thing is beneath an author of Alan Mack's caliber, and this, along with his making Bashir far more stupid than his genetic enhancements allow were my two main problems with the first part of this series.

Otherwise the book is action packed, and carries the usual Star Trek intrigue in the examination of the Breen culture and all that goes along with it. I also enjoyed seeing some of the other familiar characters executing roles in which we, as readers and fans of the show, might be less used to seeing them, as we are treated to watching Dax captain the Aventine.

All thing considered, in sprite of the the aforementioned issues, it is still a very entertaining read....more

Having said I'm not particularly fond of the multi-series crossover books in the past, I still seem to have picked up the Typhon Pact books as part of my journey back into written Trek for 2013.

DS9 was my least favourite series (which is not to say that there weren't some great episodes), so I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did. I know I keep complaining that I'm tired of the fate of the universe, or at least the Federation, hanging on the plot, and maybe that's why I enjoyed itHaving said I'm not particularly fond of the multi-series crossover books in the past, I still seem to have picked up the Typhon Pact books as part of my journey back into written Trek for 2013.

DS9 was my least favourite series (which is not to say that there weren't some great episodes), so I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did. I know I keep complaining that I'm tired of the fate of the universe, or at least the Federation, hanging on the plot, and maybe that's why I enjoyed it as much as I did. This was a simple, straight forward covert operations mission. Find and infiltrate the enemy stronghold, get back the stolen plans, blow up the prototype, and get out.

The problem being that Dr. Bashir is one of those covert agents. Genetic enhancements notwithstanding, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me to send a doctor on a mission to kill and destroy, regardless of how impressive his capabilities might be. Sure, we've paired him with someone who has the covert ops training, but that someone also happens to be a previous love interest who he's still in love with and it almost seems like he's just going along with everything in order to impress her. I never quite believe that he's into the whole secret agent thing, and I don't think he does, either.

Still, it's a quick read and helps push the envelope towards the next big war we're supposed to think is coming....more

Not as exciting as Mack's first intstallment of the Vanguard series, but then the background of that series offers so, so much more while the background of this one is rather meh imo. Doesn't change the fact that Mack rocks when it comes to telling stories.

The thing with Typhon Pact is...it's missing interesting characters and this comes from a big fan of Ezri and Bashir. But while some characters are equally interesting on paper or even more than on the small screen, Ezri and Bashir don't reallNot as exciting as Mack's first intstallment of the Vanguard series, but then the background of that series offers so, so much more while the background of this one is rather meh imo. Doesn't change the fact that Mack rocks when it comes to telling stories.

The thing with Typhon Pact is...it's missing interesting characters and this comes from a big fan of Ezri and Bashir. But while some characters are equally interesting on paper or even more than on the small screen, Ezri and Bashir don't really work for me on paper and besides those two there is only Sarina.And while I love President Bacco (she is absolutely awesome) and other minor established characters (love the banter on the brige of the "Aventine"), it still focuses mostly on the relationship between Ezri and Bashir with Sarina being an extension of those two and at least so far not really a character of her own (while being kickass and potentially great).What's especially missing is some good enemy. Random Romulans and random Breen are random and while it's all about politics and I love politics combined with Star Trek...it's more of a vaccuum barely supported by some internal Star Fleet problems.

Maybe I'm unfair, but again comparing it with "Vanguard" I'm just missing characters like T'Prynn, Diego Reyes, Pennington, Quinn, Jetainen, Rana Desai..., and I could go on and on.Well, I'm definitely unfair, because "Zero Sum Game" isn't bad, it's actually good, I'll just have to see how I'll like the next book and if it'll give me reasons enough to continue this series....more

Zero Sum Game takes place about a year after the events of A Singular Destiny and the Typhon Pact flexes its muscles by getting their hands on the schematics of the Federation's slipstream drive. What follows is some behind-enemy-lines action with Julian Bashir and his old flame, the also genetically enhanced Sarina Douglas with Ezri Dax and the USS Aventine acting as backup.

Sadly, after the extremely epic Destiny series, the plot here feels a bit flat. The focus is the infiltration of a Breen cZero Sum Game takes place about a year after the events of A Singular Destiny and the Typhon Pact flexes its muscles by getting their hands on the schematics of the Federation's slipstream drive. What follows is some behind-enemy-lines action with Julian Bashir and his old flame, the also genetically enhanced Sarina Douglas with Ezri Dax and the USS Aventine acting as backup.

Sadly, after the extremely epic Destiny series, the plot here feels a bit flat. The focus is the infiltration of a Breen colony, which definitely makes for some nice intel on the mysterious enemy of the Federation, but that's about it. In the end the author himself adds some nice easter egg with the admiralty doubting the missing report. Especially to the end some things felt a bit rushed and "too convenient" to be plausible. But perhaps they really were (I've only read the first book of the trilogy so far), in which case I'll have to edit this review ;-)

The other focus of the whole story is Julian and how he still enjoys playing spy-games. He even has an argument about this with Ezri early on which for some reason is never really picked up again through the rest of the story. Julian always was a bit of a weird character, in my opinion: Brilliant but at the same time completely naive. That combined with him acting as a spy leads to some classic Bashir-moments where you'd love to hit him in the face ;-)

In this end this book lives from its in-depth look into Bashir's soul and how he mostly perceives espionage as this romantic James Bond-like experience, and finally some information about the Breen. For this alone it is absolutely worth a read for Star Trek fans and never gets "dull". That said, some parts of the plot still feel weird and far to convenient for the protagonists. If you can ignore these, it is a nice story fully packed with action....more

A very fun read. I'm not sure if it was so fun to me because it's the first Trek book I've read in well over a year, or if it was truly that fun. I don't care either way. But I do think I need to read all the DS9 relaunch novels. This wasn't one that confused you if you hadn't read the previous ones or anything, but it made reference to so may things that sounded so interesting that it piqued my curiosity. All the DS9 relaunch books are now on my Amazon wish list. Feel free to send me presents.A very fun read. I'm not sure if it was so fun to me because it's the first Trek book I've read in well over a year, or if it was truly that fun. I don't care either way. But I do think I need to read all the DS9 relaunch novels. This wasn't one that confused you if you hadn't read the previous ones or anything, but it made reference to so may things that sounded so interesting that it piqued my curiosity. All the DS9 relaunch books are now on my Amazon wish list. Feel free to send me presents. =) Kidding.

I always liked Bashir, so it was nice to see him star in this adventure. THough he does get kind of whiny at times, that's not unusual for his character. Sometimes I think he needs some B-vitamins to help with the feelings of doom and gloom he seems to live with at all times. I was very angry at Sarina, though, for seeming to love him and now I think she's going to fuck him over good in a subsequent book. Bitch. Poor Julian. He just can't get a break in the romance department, can he?

I also like the more behind the scenes action we see that wasn't so common in any of the shows, like with President Bacco and her work. Good times. ...more

Reread. Another 3.5'er. Surprised to see I gave this 2 stars when I originally read it; it's not THAT bad. For Mack it's a bit underwhelming, I'll admit, and the plot is entirely too tidy and underdeveloped. The hints about how much has changed on DS9 in the five years since THE SOUL KEY feel cutesy and irritating as well. But the action is exciting, and as a character study / development piece on Doctor Bashir, it's pretty great.

Extremely well-written book, continuing the story of the characters we met in the TV series DS9. For fans of the sereis, this is a must-read. For anyone else, the background plot might not make much sense, but the story itself is still a good one. And while it is a complete story in itself, it ends with a teaser for future plot complications. This is how "continued stories" SHOULD be done.

Zero Sum Game by David Mack is the opening book of the "Typhon Pact" storyline of the Trek universe. Several of the "villain" races of Trek have banded together as an evil alternative to the Federation. In this book, enhanced Julian Bashir is recruited (again) by Section 31 via his former love, Sarina Douglas. She & Bashir go on a secret agent mission to Breen space after a theft of Starfleet's slipstream drive. The book is one of Mr Mack's better works. While I never really cared for BashirZero Sum Game by David Mack is the opening book of the "Typhon Pact" storyline of the Trek universe. Several of the "villain" races of Trek have banded together as an evil alternative to the Federation. In this book, enhanced Julian Bashir is recruited (again) by Section 31 via his former love, Sarina Douglas. She & Bashir go on a secret agent mission to Breen space after a theft of Starfleet's slipstream drive. The book is one of Mr Mack's better works. While I never really cared for Bashir until his enhancements were revealed in the series, I liked him in his book. Unlike most "suspense" books, this one actually is suspenseful and didn't have me going, "come on, come on, come on". I won't say I loved it, but I really liked it. It's a good lead off of the Typhon Pact storyline. ...more

If you are a sci fi fan like me, you have probably heard of the Star Trek television series Deep Space 9.

Typhon Pact - "Zero Sum Game" is a story written as an episode out of that series. It is the story of how Dr. Dashir of DS9 is taking from his mundane job as head Medical Officer and pressed into service as an agent of Star Fleet's SI core. He is to play the part of a spy as he, and his former lover Sarina go under cover to the Breen homeworld to recover stolen plans for an experimental "SlipIf you are a sci fi fan like me, you have probably heard of the Star Trek television series Deep Space 9.

Typhon Pact - "Zero Sum Game" is a story written as an episode out of that series. It is the story of how Dr. Dashir of DS9 is taking from his mundane job as head Medical Officer and pressed into service as an agent of Star Fleet's SI core. He is to play the part of a spy as he, and his former lover Sarina go under cover to the Breen homeworld to recover stolen plans for an experimental "Slipstream" drive system for starships. If the Breen master this technology it will mean that Star Fleet will loose it's place as a super power in the Federation.

Full of action and susspense, this story is a quick read that you wont want to put down.

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.Good book but don't know if this was the greatest way to start off the Typhon Pact books. It was great to see Dax in her element as a starship captain. Everything in her past lives has led her up to this moment. I like that.

I also like DS9 so I find it a little disturbing that this book obviously skips on information like Vaughn being badly hurt, Ro Laren now station commander, Sisko sitting on his rump and Kira somewhere???? The author purposely cuts off Bashir's thoughts from what's going on wGood book but don't know if this was the greatest way to start off the Typhon Pact books. It was great to see Dax in her element as a starship captain. Everything in her past lives has led her up to this moment. I like that.

I also like DS9 so I find it a little disturbing that this book obviously skips on information like Vaughn being badly hurt, Ro Laren now station commander, Sisko sitting on his rump and Kira somewhere???? The author purposely cuts off Bashir's thoughts from what's going on with that fiery rebel turned captain.

I'm confused but properly intrigued on how they're going to pull the rest of the books off. It also makes me wonder how the layoff of their Trek editor is affecting these books?!...more

Bashir and his mutant girlfriend--pardon me, one true love--as a late 24th century *Mr. and Mrs. Smith*? Took a major, huge, gigantic suspension of disbelief to swallow that one. Mercifully, the chapters with the original characters romping about (including Not Dax and her merry little crew) were short, and Mack gets to show off his love for action, although I will readily admit one particular scene I swear he stole from *Wall-e*.

It's kind of sad to think that this book is one of DS9's last hurrBashir and his mutant girlfriend--pardon me, one true love--as a late 24th century *Mr. and Mrs. Smith*? Took a major, huge, gigantic suspension of disbelief to swallow that one. Mercifully, the chapters with the original characters romping about (including Not Dax and her merry little crew) were short, and Mack gets to show off his love for action, although I will readily admit one particular scene I swear he stole from *Wall-e*.

It's kind of sad to think that this book is one of DS9's last hurrahs. But, hey, we all get old and reach out time to be put out to pasture, and from the way some of these books are written, I think maybe it's time to put this one out to pasture....more

David Mack is the New York Times bestselling author of many Star Trek novels, including the Destiny trilogy and the acclaimed Vanguard series. His scripting credits include episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Mack's first work of original fiction, a supernatural thriller titled The Calling, was published to critical acclaim in July 2009 by Simon & Schuster.

Follow him on Twitter @davidalanmaDavid Mack is the New York Times bestselling author of many Star Trek novels, including the Destiny trilogy and the acclaimed Vanguard series. His scripting credits include episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Mack's first work of original fiction, a supernatural thriller titled The Calling, was published to critical acclaim in July 2009 by Simon & Schuster.